Catch for packing case or the like



Jan. 3, 1967 G. E. SWANSON CATCH FOR PACKING CASE OR THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 31. 1962 INVENTOR GUNNAR E. SWANSON BY MUM, Pkw m ATTORNEYS Jan. 3, 1967 G. E. SWANSON 3,295,877

CATCH FOR PACKING CASE OR THE LIKE Filed Jan. 31. 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 6

Jan. 3, 1967 G. E. SWANSON CATCH FOR PACKING CASE OR THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 31. 1962 PIC-3.1

Jan. 3, 1967 G. SWANSON CATCH FOR PACKING CASE OR THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 31, 1962 United States Patent Ofi 3,295,877 Patented Jan. 3, 1967 ice 3,295,877 CATCH FOR PACKING CASE OR THE LIKE Gunnar E. Swanson, 409 Ridge Road, Middletown, Conn. 06457 Filed Jan. 31, 1962, Ser. No. 170,137 40 Claims. (Cl. 292-111) This invention relates to catches for releasably securing one member of a structure to another such as, the cover of a packing case to the main body of the case, and deals more particularly to a catch of the type including a strike or similar device attached to one member of the structure and a catch unit attached to the other member of the structure and including a strike engaging catch element, a body generally fixed against movement toward or away from the strike, and a manually operable mechanism for moving the catch element relative to the body to cause the catch element to exert or release closing pressure on the strike.

One object of the present invention is to provide in a catch of the foregoing character a novel operating mechanism for moving the catch element relative to the body and which operating mechanism has a high mechanical advantage toward the end of the locking movement of the operating member whereby the catch element may be made to exert very high closing pressure on the case cover by mere finger pressure or other relatively small force on the operating member, and which operating mechanism is compact in size, of rugged construction and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a catch of the foregoing character means for vertically adjusting the body of the catch relative to the strike to make it possible for the catch element to always properly engage the strike despite unavoidable inaccuracies in the mounting of the strike on the case cover and of the body of the catch on the case body. In keeping with this object, a more particular object of the invention is to provide a base for pivotally connecting the catch body to the case body and means in the catch body for vertically adjusting the body relative to the base.

Another object of this invention is to provide a catch operating mechanism including an operating member in the form of a wing rotatable approximately 180 degrees from one transverse position to another relative to the catch body, and which transverse positions correspond respectively to the closed and released positions of the catch member, and also including a detent for releasably retaining the wing in either one of its transverse positions. In keeping with this object of the invention a still further object is to provide an operating mechanism wherein the wing is movable between an erect or operative position whereat the wing extends substantially perpendicular from the body and a flattened or inoperative position whereat the wing is disposed generally parallel and adjacent the top surface of the catch body, and wherein the detent for releasably retaining the wing in its transverse positions also acts to releasably retain the wing in either its erect or flattened positions.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a means for preventing accidental rotation of the wing when the latter is in its flattened or inoperative position.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a catch of the above character a construction whereby the catch when closed serves to provide a hinge connection between the strike and the catch body so that the case cover may be swung pivotally relative to the case body when the catches on the other sides of the case are released.

A still further object of this invention is to provide in a catch of the above character means whereby the case cover can be released for upward movement away from the case body only by a separate manual action additional to that required for effecting relative movement between the catch body and the catch element.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel catch operating mechanism including means for positively preventing the operating member from being turned substantially beyond the open and closed limits of its movement.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description and from the drawings forming a part hereof.

The drawings show preferred embodiments of the invention and such embodiments will be described, but it will be understood that various changes may be made from the constructions disclosed, and that the drawings and description are not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claims forming a part of this specification being relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a catch embodying the invention, the catch element of the catch being in its upper dis-- engaged position and a portion of the body being broken away to show interior parts more clearly.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the catch shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a right side view of the catch as shown in FIG. 1, but with the parts so moved that the catch element is in its lower engaged position.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary front view showing the wing of the catch in its latched position as shown by full lines in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 1, but showing the wing in its transverse position as shown by dotted lines in said FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the line 66 of FIG. 5, the parts being in the positions corresponding to the upper disengaged position of the catch element.

FIG. 7 is a View similar to FIG. 6, but with the parts in positions corresponding to an intermediate position of the catch element.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIGS. 6 and 7, but with the parts in positions corresponding to the lower engaged position of the catchelement.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 1 with the wing in its transverse forward position as shown by dotted lines in said FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9, but showing the wing in a position such as that shown by full lines in FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the lines 1111 of FIGS. 5 and 9.

FIG. 12 is a front view of a catch constituting an alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 13-13 of FIG. 12, but showing the wing in the position shown by dotted lines in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 14--14 of FIG. 13, but showing the upper retaining pin in its separated position.

FIG. 15 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 15-15 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the line 1616 of FIG. 13, the parts being in the positions corresponding to the upper position of the catch body.

FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 16, the parts being in positions corresponding to an intermediate position of the catch body.

FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIGS. 16 and 17, the parts being in positions corresponding to the lower position of the catch body.

FIG. 19 is a front view generally similar to FIG. 1, but showing a catch constituting another alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 20 is a right side view of the catch as shown in FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the line 21-21 of FIG. 19.

FIG. 22 is a view generally similar to FIG. 8, but illustrating an alternative form of the spacer used in the catch operating mechanism.

Catch as shown in FIGS. 1 to 11 Referring particularly to FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, it will be observed that a catch embodying the invention is adapted for use on a packing case or the like having a main body A and a cover B upwardly separable from said main body.

The catch includes a strike adapted to be fixedly attached to said case cover B. As shown, the strike 16 comprises a U-shaped sheet metal member 12 having forwardly extending transversely spaced vertical flanges 14, 14 which carry a transverse horizontal pin 16 extending between said flanges. The use of a strike having a pin such as 16 permits the pin to serve as a hinge pin between the strike and the remainder of the catch so that the catch can serve as .a hinge between the main body A and the cover B when in its closed position. This design of strike is, however, not necessary and the strike could be a simple hook-shaped sheet metal member or the like.

The catch also includes a catch unit which has a base 18 adapted to be fixedly attached to said case body A below said strike 10. A catch body 20 is pivotally connected with the base 18 for movement about a transverse horizontal axis. As shown the base 18 com-prises a U- shaped sheet metal member 22 having forwardly extending transversely spaced vertical flanges 24, 24 which carry a transverse horizontal pivot pin 26 extending between said flanges. The pin 26 serves to provide the pivotal connection between the body 20 and the base18. Preferably the body 20 is formed from sheet metal and is provided with rearwardly extending transversely spaced flanges 28, 28 which are between the flanges 24, 24 of the base 18 and are apertured to receive the pivot pin 26. Along the rear edges of the flanges 24, 24 are two other transversely extending guide flanges 27, 27.

A strike engageable catch element 30 is carried by the body 20. Said catch element 30 is longitudinally or vertically movable relatively to the body 20 and is so movable into and out of engagement with the strike. In such movement the catch element is guided at least in part by the flanges 24, 24 and 27, 27. When the strike has a horizontal transverse pin such as 16, the catch element 30 has a hook portion 32 which is adapted to fit around said pin. A suitable means is provided for effecting relative vertical movement between the catch element 30 and the body 20. In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 11, the body is not movable vertically and the catch element is vertically movable into or out of engagement with the strike 10.

The means for effecting said vertical movement of the catch element is shown as including a manually movable wing 34. The wing 34 is carried by a member 36 which extends through an opening in the front wall of the body 20 and it is rotatively movable in'said opening. A flange 38 on said member 36 prevents forward movement thereof relatively to the body 20. A front cap 40 is secured to the member 36 by means of oppositely disposed rivets 42 and 44. The rivet 42 has a relatively large cylindrical head 46 at the rear which constitutes an eccentric for relatively moving the catch element 30 as hereinafter explained.

The catch element 30 is provided with a downwardly extending and rearwardly offset portion 48 which is at the rear of the eccentric 46. The offset portion 48 fits between the body flanges 28, 28 so that the catch element is guided for rectilinear vertical movement. The offset portion 48 has a forwardly extending flange 50 which is below the eccentric 46. The flange 50 has a downwardly curved portion 52, and the curvature is preferably such that the portion 52 is concentric with the rotational axis of the member 36 when the catch element 30 is in its lowermost position. The upper portion of the catch element 30 has a downward projection 54 which is not offset and which is above the eccentric 46. The projection 54 at the lower portion thereof is approximately semicircular in shape. The upwardly facing surface of .the flange 50 and the downwardly facing surface of the projection 54 thus define oppositely facing working surfaces which surfaces are spaced along the axis of movement of the catch member and between which the eccentric 46 is located, the eccentric being smaller than the spacing between said working surfaces.

A spacer 56 is interposed between the projection 54 and the eccentric 46 so as to take up the looseness otherwise existing in the vertical direction between the eccentric and the working surfaces, the spacer being provided with two recesses which respectively receive and approximately fit said projection and said eccentric. FIGS. 1, 5 and 6 show I the several parts in the positions corresponding to the in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, the catch body 20 may be in a forward position, not shown, so that the catch'element is out of engaging relationship with the strike. With the body and attached parts in forward positions the case cover B may be raised or lowered. When the cover B is to be held in its closed position, the catch body and the attached parts are swung forwardly to the positions shown in FIG. 5.

When the eccentric 46 is turned clockwise by the'wing 34 from the FIG. 6 position, it is moved to an intermediate position such as that shown in FIG. 7. At this intermediate position the eccentric, by its engagement with the flange 56 has moved the catch element 30 downwardly, but the spacer 56 has maintained the spacing between the projection 54 and the eccentric 46 so as to prevent any excess downward movement of the catch element 30.

When the eccentric 56 has been further turned clockwise to the position shown in FIG. 8, the catch element 30 has been moved to the lowermost position with the hook 32 in firm engagement with the strike pin 16 as shown in FIG. 3 and downward pressure has been applied to the case cover B. The left portion of the spacer 56 has engaged the left flange 28 to prevent any additional movement. As before stated, the curved portion 52 of the flange is concentric with the axis of movement of the eccentric when the catch element is at its lowermost posi tion. That is, its radius of curvature is approximately equal to that of the path traced by the point on the eccentric most distant from the axis of movement of the eccentric and is arranged so as to be engaged by the eccentric when the eccentric is in the position corresponding to the lowermost position of the catch element. It will therefore be apparent that as the catch element reaches its lowermost position little or no further movement thereof will take place as the eccentric is moved along the curved portion 52 so that the catch member is then stationary or stable at this point. When the eccentric is in the extreme position shown in FIG. 8 it is in over-center condition and the closing pressure or downward pull exerted by the catch member on the strike will tend to hold the eccentric in the extreme position. As the eccentric passes over center, however, the catch member does not back off or move upwardly but remains substantially stationary with respect to the catch unit so that maximum closing pressure is exerted on the case cover when the eccentric is in its extreme position. In other prior art catches it is common for the catch to exert a maximum closing pressure as it passes over center and to then release a certain amount of this pressure as it moves to an extreme position. With the eccentric located in its extreme position the wing 34 is horizontal.

When the wing 34 and the eccentric 46 are turned in the opposite counterclockwise direction, the parts are moved from the positions shown in FIG. 8 successively to the positions shown in FIG. 7 and in FIG. 6. Thus, the catch element 30 is separated from the strike pin and the entire body 20 and the parts thereon can be swung forwardly to permit the case cover B to be raised.

The wing 34 shown as being a flat piece of flat metal has an aperture 58 therein which is shaped and positioned to provide a rectangular bar 60 that serves for the connection of the wing with the rotatable member 36. The last said member has a notch 62 therein for receiving the bar 60. The bar 60 is held in the notch 62 by said cap 40, and the cap has means such as notches 64, 64 which provide clearance for the adjacent portions of the wing. The same type of clearance could also be provided by pressing the material of the cap outwardly in the area of the notches 64, 64 to provide outwardly offset crowns or protrusions.

The wing 34 in its erect or operative position extends forwardly from the body 20 and from the member 36, as shown by full lines in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5 and as shown by dotted lines in FIG. 3. For normally holding the wing in its forward or erect position a leaf spring 66 is pro vided. The spring has an annular portion that surrounds the member 36 and engages the front face of the body 20. The spring 66 has tongues 68, 68 which extend into the recess 62 in said member 36 and which press forwardly against the Hat rear face of the bar 60 of the wing 34. The fiat front face of the bar engages the cap 40, and thus the wing 34 is resiliently held in its erect position.

The spring 66 also serves to releasably retain the wing in the transverse position shown by full lines in FIG. 5 or in its second transverse position as shown by dotted lines in FIGS. 1 and 3. The annular portion of the spring is provided with oppositely positioned rearwardly offset portions 70, 70 which are adapted to enter notches ,72, 72 in the front wall of the body 20. The offset portions when entered in the notches, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, serve as detents to releasably retain the wing 34 in either of its aforesaid transverse positions. When the wing is turned out of either of its said transverse positions, the detents 70, 70 are forced out of the notches 72, 72 and the spring is in the position shown in FIG. 10.

When the wing is in its erect position and in either of its aforesaid transverse positions it may be swung upwardly or downwardly, about the axis of the bar 60, to bring it from its erect position to a flattened or inoperative position parallel and adjacent to the forward surface of the body 20, and it is ordinarily swung upwardly to the vertical flattened position shown by full lines in FIGS. 3 and 4 and shown by dotted lines in FIG. 5. When the wing is so swung the spring tongues 68, 68 yield, but after swinging said tongues tend to hold the wing in its said vertical position. It will therefore be seen that the spring in cooperation with the flat surfaces on the bar 60 serves to releasably hold the wing in two positions relative to the member 36 and in cooperation with the notches 72, 72 serves to releasably hold the member 36 in two positions with respect to the catch body.

When the wing 34 is in the flattened or inoperative position shown by full lines in FIGS. 3 and 4, it is preferably held to prevent any accidental rotative movement about the axis of the member 36. As shown, the side flanges 28, 28 of the body 20 have portions 74, 74 which 6 extend beyond or above the main portion of said body and the flange portions 74, 74 have integral forward projections 76, 76. The wing 34 is provided with notches 78, 78 which are of such size and are so spaced that the projections 76, 76 enter them when the wing is in its upper vertical position.

It is sometimes desirable to provide a catch construction whereby the catch in its closed position serves to provide a hinge action between the catch unit and the strike so as to allow the case cover to be swung relatively to the case body after other catches are released. When this is desirable, the top edges 80, 80 of the flange portions 74, 74 are so located that they engage or approximately engage the bottom of the strike pin 16 when the catch member 30 is in its lowermost or closed position and the catch body 20 is in its normal vertical position. The flange portions 74, 74 thus prevent the pin 16 from escaping from the catch member and the pin is pivotally secured thereby to the catch body. The engagement of the flange portions 74, 74 with the pin 16 is clearly shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5.

Because of the unavoidable inaccuracies in the mounting of the strike 10 on the case cover B and of the base 18 on the case body A and for other reasons, it is sometimes preferable to provide means for vertically adjusting the body 20 and the parts thereon relatively to the base 18. This vertical adjustment makes it possible for the catch element 30 to always properly engage the strike. A means for this purpose is shown in the lower portions of FIGS. 1 and 5 and also in FIG. 2.

As shown the body 20 is not directly pivoted on the pin 26, but it is indirectly so pivoted by means of an adjusting member in the form of a block 82. The block 82 is behind the front wall of the body and between the flanges 28, 28 thereof, and it has a bearing aperture which receives and fits the pin 26. The body 20 is vertically adjustable relatively to the block 82, and the pin receiving apertures 84, 84 in the flanges 28, 28 are vertically elongated. The means for effecting vertical adjustment may be widely varied, but as shown the block 82 has an inclined threaded aperture therein, and an inclined screw 86 extends through and fits said aperture. The screw 86 has bearing apertures in portions 88 and 90 of the body flanges 28, 28, said flange portions 88, 90 being inclined so as to be perpendicular to the axis of the screw. The screw 86 has a slotted head 92 by means of which it may be manually turned.

The axis of the screw 86 is in fixed relationship with the body 20, and when the screw is turned the block 82 is moved relatively to the body either upwardly and toward the right or downwardly and toward the left. As the block moves toward the right or toward the left it slides along the pivot pin 26. Relative upward or downward movement of the block corresponds to relative downward or upward movement of the body, and the turning of the screw 86 therefore moves the body and the parts thereon either downwardly or upwardly with respect to the pivot pin 26 and the base 18.

Catch as shown in FIGS. 12 to 18 It is sometimes desirable to provide a catch so constructed that the case cover B can be released for upward movement only by a separate manual action additional to that required for effecting relative movement between the body and the catch element. Such a catch is shown in FIGS. 12 to 18.

The catch includes a strike 94 adapted to be fixedly connected to the case cover B. As shown, the strike comprises a U-shaped sheet metal member 96 having forwardly extending transversely spaced flanges, 98, 98. A transverse pivot pin 100 extends between said flanges, but said pin is preferably removable from its normal position between said flanges for a purpose to be stated.

The catch also includes a base 102 adapted to be fixedly connected to the case body A below the strike 94. As

7 shown, the base comprises a U-shaped sheet metal member 104 having forwardly extending transversely spaced sheet metal flanges 106, 106. A transverse pivot pin 108 extends between the flanges, but said pin is preferably removable from its normal position between said flanges for a purpose to be stated.

A catch body 110, generally similar to the catch body 20, is pivotally connected to the base 102 by means of the pin 108. Preferably the body 110 is formed from sheet metal and is provided with rearwardly extending transversely spaced flanges 112, 112 which are between the planes of the flanges 106, 106 of the base 102. Also transversely extending guide flanges 113, 113 are provided on the rear edges of the flanges 112, 112. The lower portion of the body 110 is wrapped around the pin 108 as shown at 109 or otherwise pivotally secured to the pin. A catch element 114, generally similar to the catch element 30, is connected with the body 110. The catch element is pivotally connected with the strike 94 by means of the pin 100, and preferably the upper portion of the catch element 114 is wrapped around the pin 100 as shown at 111. The catch element is guided for vertical movement relative to the catch body by the side flanges 112, 112 and the guide flanges 113, 113, and means is provided for effecting such relative vertical movement between the catch element 114 and the body 110. The means for effecting relative vertical movement may be generally similar to that previously described for the catch shown in FIGS. 1 to 11, and said relative movement normally causes the body to move upwardly and exert closing pressure between the case cover B and brings I the strike and catch body into closer relationship.

As stated, relative vertical movement is effected between the body 110 and the catch element 114, but in the catch as shown the body is moved upwardly and downwardly relatively to the catch element which remains substantially stationary. In order to permit such movement of the body the base flanges 106, 106 have vertical slots 116 which permit vertical movement of the pivot pin 108. FIGS. 12 and 13 show the body 110 in its lowermost position, the pin 108 being. at the lower ends of the slots 116, 116. When the case cover B is to be pressed downwardly, the body 110 is moved upwardly relatively to the catch element 114 so that. the pin 108 is at the upper ends of said slots 116, 116. With the pin 108 at the upper ends of the slots, pressure is applied by means of the catch element 114"and the pin 100 to press the case cover B downwardly.

It has been stated that the pins 100 and 108 are removable from their normal positions between the flanges that carry them. Two different means are shown which permit pin removal, and it will be understood that these means are merely illustrative. Furthermore, either of said disclosed mean-s may be substituted for the other.

Referring particularly to the pin 100, it will be observed that said pin is a portion of a- U-shaped rod 118, said rod having a portion 120 which is parallel with said pin 100 and which extends through apertures 97, 97 in the flanges 98, 98 and projects toward the right beyond the right flange 98. Included in the portion 120 is a transverse rumple or wave bend 121 which is located immediately to the right of the right hand flange 98 when the rod 118 is in the position shown in FIG. 12. As shown, the apertures are elongated slots which extend toward the pin 100 and the rod 118 is preferably made of spring material so that the portion 120 may be manually and resiliently pressed toward the pin 100., Normally, the rod engages or approximately engages the upper end of the aperture 97 in the right hand flange 98 so that the rumple 121 engages the flange and prevents the rod from being moved to the left- When the pin 100 is to be removed from its normal position shown in FIG. 12, the portion 120 is pressed toward the pin 100 to remove the rumple from engagement with the flange 9-8 and the U-shaped rod 118 is moved toward 8 the left to the position shown in FIG. 14. Preferably the rod portion 120 has an upset or flare 122 or other means at its right-hand end for preventing movement beyond the position shown. When the rod 118 is in the last said position the pin 100 is disengaged from the catch element 11 4.

Referring particularly to the pin 108 and as shown best in FIG. 15, it will be observed that said pin com' prises two telescopically engaged parts 124 and 126 which respectively extend into said slots 116, 116. The pin parts 124, 126 are biased toward their extended positions by a spring 12 8. When the pin 108 is to be removed from its normal position, the parts 124, 126 are pressed toward each other by suitable tools (not shown) so that they are out of the slots 116, 116. The pin 108 is thus disconnected from the base 102 and the catch body may be removed from the base member 104. This is of advantage in that the base member may be attached to the case A before the catch body is attached thereto and therefore the catch body will not interfere with the screw driver or other tools used in performing the attachment. Also it permits easy replacement of the catch body without the necessity of detaching the member 104 from the case. It is also to be understood that the pin 108 is not limited to use with slotted apertures in the base member but may also be used with circular apertures where such apertures are consistent with the design objections.

When the case coverB is to be raised the body 110 is moved to its lowermost position as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 so that no downward pressure is applied to the cover, and then one of the pins 100, 108 is removed as previously described. If the upper pin 100 is removed, the cover B is free to be moved relatively to the body 110 and the catch element 114, the body 110 remaining in pivotal connection with the base 102. If the lower' pin 10% is removed, the cover B is free to be moved upwardly relatively to the case body A. The cover-is so moved relatively to the base 102, but the catch element 114 and the body 110 remain attached to the case cover B and are moved upwardly With it.

The means for effecting relative vertical movement between the catch element 114 and the body 110 may be exactly the same as shown in FIGS. 1 to 11 and previously described. However, an alternative mechanism embodying this portion of the invention is shown in FIGS. 12 to 18. The last said mechanism includes some parts that are the same as some of the parts previously described. Reference is made more particularly to the parts 34, 36, 40, 42, 44, 46 and 66 and the description of these parts need not be repeated.

The catch element 114 is provided with a downwardly extending and rearwardly offset portion 130 which is at the rear of the eccentric 46. The offset portion 130 fits between the body flanges 112, 112 so that the body 110 is guided for rectilinear vertical movement relatively to the catch element. with the upper portion of the catch element 114 by a gen- I erally horizontal wall 132 which is above the eccentric 46. The wall 132 has an upwardly curved portion 134, and the curvature is preferably such that the portion 134 is concentric with the rotational axis of the member 36 when the body is in its uppermost position. The 0&- set portion has an upward projection 136 which is not offset and is below the eccentric 46. The projection 136 at theupper portion thereof is approximately semicircular in shape.

A spacer 13-8, generally similar to the spacer 56, is in terposed between the projection 136 and the eccentric 46, the space-r being provided with two recesses which respectlvely receive and approximately fit said projection and said eccentric. FIGS, 12, 13 and 16 show the several parts in the positions corresponding to the lowermost 7 position of the body 110. When the catch parts are in the lastsaid positions the curved portion 134 of the wall- 132 is in engagement with the eccentric 46, and said body The offset portion 130 is connected 110 is held against vertical movement in either direction. The left portion of the spacer 138 engages the left flange 112 to prevent any additional movement of the eccentric 46 in the counterclockwise direction.

With the several parts in the positions shown in FIGS. 12, 13 and 16 no downward pressure is being applied to the case cover B, and either of the pins 100 or 108 may be removed to permit upward movement of said cover as previously described.

When the eccentric 46 is turned clockwise by the wing 34 from the FIG. 16 position, it is moved to an intermediate position such as that shown in FIG. 17. At this intermediate position the spacer 138 has maintained the spacing between the projection 136 and the eccentric so that the body 110 has been moved upwardly. The eccentric 46 has remained in engagement with the wall 132 so as to prevent any excess upward movement of the body.

When the eccentric has been further turned clockwise to the position shown in FIG. 18, the body 110 has been moved to its uppermost position with the pin 188 in firm engagement with the upper ends of the slots 116, 116. With the body in the last said position downward pressure has been applied to the case cover B. The left portion of the spacer 138 has engaged the left flange 112 to prevent any additional movement. As before stated, the curved portion 134 of the wall 132 is concentric with the axis of movement of the eccentric. It will therefore be apparent that the body has been moved to its uppermost position before the eccentric has reached its extreme position. The eccentric is therefore in an over-center condition when in such extreme position as shown in FIG. 18 and will be held in such position by the downward pressure exerted on the case cover and strike. With the eccentric so located the wing 34 is horizontal.

When the wing 34 and the eccentric 46 are turned in the opposite counterclockwise direction, the parts are moved from the positions shown in FIG. 18 successively to the positions shown in FIG. 17 and in FIG. 16. Thus the body 119 is moved to its lowermost position so that there is no downward pressure on the case cover B and so that either of the pins 100 or 108 can be removed as previously described.

The details of construction of the wing 34 and of the spring 66 are or may be the same as previously described and repetition of the description is unnecessary.

Catch as shown in FIGS. 19 to 21 The catch shown in FIGS. 19 to 21 is or may be the same in construction as that shown in FIGS. 1 to 11, except as to the means for vertically adjusting the body with respect to the base.

The catch comprises a body 148 generally similar to the body 20 and provided with flanges 142 and 144 generally similar to the flanges 28, 28. The flanges extend downwardly beyond the main portion of the body 130 and they have vertically elongated apertures 146 and 148 which receive the pivot pin 26 of the base 18.

A block 150 is located between the flanges 142, 144 and below the main portion of the body 148. The width of the block is substantially less than the spacing between the flanges. The block 150 has a transverse threaded aperture therethrough which receives and fits a tranvserse screw 152. The screw extends through vertically elongated apertures 154 and 156 in the flanges 142, 144, and the screw has a slotted head 158 by means of which it may be turned.

The bottom of the main portion of the body 140 is formed with a rearwar-dly extending flange 160 which is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane and which is shown as being inclined downwardly and toward the right in FIG. 19. The flange 160' enters and fits a correspondingly inclined groove in the front face of the block 150. A sheet metal pivot or adjusting member 162 is provided which has its main portion below and in vertical register with the main portion of the body 146. The member 162 fits between the body flanges 142, 144 and the lower portion of the member is wrapped around the pivot pin 26 as shown at 164. The top of the main portion of the member 162 is formed with a rearwardly extending flange 166 which is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane and is so inclined oppositely to the body flange 160. The flange 166 enters and fits a correspondingly inclined groove in the front face of the block 150. A suitable means is provided for preventing any forward pivotal movement of the member 162 independently of the body 140, and as shown this means is a tab 168 projecting from the right body flange 144 and engaging the front face of the member 162.

When the screw 152 is turned the block 150 is moved toward the left or toward the right. Movement of the block toward the left causes the body to move downwardly with respect to the block and the screw 152, such movement being permitted by the screw apertures 154, 156. Movement of the block toward the left also causes the block 151! to move downwardly with respect to the pivot member 162. Movement of the block toward the left therefore effects downward movement of the body 148 and of all parts carried thereby. Movement of the block toward the right effects upward movement of the body 140 and of all parts carried thereby. The vertical movement of the body effected by the screw 152 therefore makes it possible to adjust the body relative to the base so that the catch element 30 properly engages the strike 10.

Alternative form of spacer as shown in FIG. 22

The spacer shown at 56 in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 and at 138 in FIGS. 16, 17 and 18 and the parts immediately engageable therewith may vary widely in regard to their shapes and the relative curvatures of their coengaging surfaces. The function of the spacer is to prevent lost motion between the eccentric and the two working surfaces of the catch member, such as the surfaces provided by the flange 50 and projection 54 of the catch member 39 in FIG. 8, and to thereby assure that the vertical component of movement of the eccentric member 46 is transmitted to one or the other of the working surfaces to raise or lower the catch element relative to the catch body. The spacer may also be designed to limit the motion of the eccentric as mentioned previously and is capable of moving in rotation about a horizontal axis to permit the use of curved working surfaces resulting in desirable movement characteristics of the catch member.

As shown in the previously described catches, the cocentric member bears against on the working surfaces and the spacer extends between the eccentric and the other working surface. It is also possible for the spacer to be designed to engage both of the working surfaces of the catch element and for the eccentric to pivotally engage the spacer at a point intermediate the two working surfaces. Such an arrangement is shown in FIG. 22, which is generally similar to FIG. 8, and wherein the catch includes a catch element having a rearwardly offset portion 182 connected to the upper portion thereof by a rearwardly extending transverse wall 184. This wall 184 defines a first transverse working surface and includes an upwardly curved recess 186. At the lower end of the offset portion 182 is a forwardly extending flange 188 which defines a second transverse working surface including a curved portion 190 which is concentric with the axis of rotation of the member 36 when the catch element 180 is in its lowermost position.

Between the two working surfaces defined by the wall 184 and flange 188 is a spacer 192 having an upper curved portion 194 which fits and is received by the recess 186 and a lower curved portion 196 fits and is received by the curved portion 190. Intermediate the portions 194 and 196 the spacer is apertured and pivotally receives an eccentric head 198 which is generally similar to but smaller than the previously described eccentric head 46. Extending to the left of the main body of the spacer is another portion 200 which is adapted to engage the left-hand flange 23 of the catch to limit the movement of the eccentric and accordingly the wing 34. Referring to FIG. 22, it will be obvious that on turning of the member 36 which carries the eccentric 198 the spacer will function in a manner similar to the previously described spacer 56 or spacer 138. On movement of the eccentric 198 counterclockwise from the position shown the portion 194 will bear against the surface of the recess 186 to raise the catch element 186, and once the catch element is so raised rotation of the member 36 and eccentric 198 in the opposite or clockwise direction will cause the portion 196 to bear against the surface of the curved portion 188 to lower the catch element.

The invention claimed is:

1. A catch for releasably securing together two separable parts of a structure, said catch comprising a strike adapted for attachment to one of said separable parts, a base adapted for attachment to the other of said separable parts, a body member connected with said base, a catch member carried by said body member and supported thereby for movement relative to said body member between first and second limited positions, said catch member including a portion engageable with said strike and arranged to exert closing pressure on said strike when said catch member is moved toward the first limit of its movement relative to said body member and to release said closing pressure from said strike when said catch member is moved toward the second limit of its movement relative to said body member, means including a manually rotatable element for effecting said relative movement between said catch member and said body member, and means for adjusting said body member relative to said base and in a direction toward or away from said strike whereby said catch portion may be made to properly engage said strike so as to exert a desired amount of closing pressure thereon when said catch member is moved to the first limit of its movement relative to said body member.

2. The combination defined in claim 1 further characterized by said catch member and said body member including coengaging parts restraining said catch member to rectilinear sliding movement relative to said body member.

3. The combination defined in claim 2 further characterized by said body member including two transversely spaced side flanges each provided with a vertically elongated slot, 9. pin carried by said base and passing through said elongated slots in said side flanges for pivotally connecting said body member to said base, an adjusting member located between said side flanges and having a transverse bearing aperture which approximately fits and receives said pin so that said member is pivotally supported on said pin and restrained against vertical movement relative thereto, and means for vertically adjusting said adjusting member relative to said body member and for causing the same to pivot with said body member.

4'. The combination defined in claim 3 further characterized by said means for vertically adjusting said adjusting member including means defining an inclined threaded aperture in said adjusting member, and an inclined screw rotatably supported between said side flanges and threaded through said inclined opening for moving said adjusting member transversely along said pin and said body member vertically relative to said pin as a result of rotation of said screw.

5. A catch as defined in claim 4 further characterized by said screw being supported in bearing apertures formed in portions of said side flanges and which side flange portions are inclined so as to be perpendicular to the axis of the screw.

6. The combination defined in claim 3 further characterized by said front wall at its bottom end including a rearwardly extending fiange, said adjusting member including a main portion which extends upwardly from said pin and which main portion at its upper end is provided with a rearwardly extending flange vertically spaced below and inclined relative to said flange on said front wall, and said means for vertically adjusting said adjusting member comprising a block located between said side flanges which block has a width less than that of the spacing between said side flanges and which block includes two grooves which respectively receive and are correspondingly inclined to said inclined flanges, said block also having a transverse threaded aperture therethrough, means for preventing pivoting movement of said adjusting member independently of said body member, and a screw rotatably supported between said side flanges and extending through said threaded block opening for moving said block transversely of said body member as a result of rotation of said screw.

7. A catch as defined in claim 6 further characterized by said means for preventing independent pivoting movement of said pivot member comprising a tab projecting from one of said side flanges and engaging the front face of the main portion of said pivot member.

8. A catch as defined in claim 1 further characterized by means on said body member and engageable with said strike for positively limiting the downward movement of said strike relative to said body member.

9. In a catch for releasably securing together two separable parts of a structure, a combination comprising a body member, a catch member carried by said body member and supported thereby for rectilinear sliding movement relative to said body member along a first axis and between first and second limits, a second member carried by said body member and supported thereby for rotation about a second axis perpendicular to said first axis, an eccentric part carried by said second member and having a central axis fixed relative to said second member in parallel spaced relation to said second axis so as to be moved in an accurate path about said second axis as said second member is rotated about said second axis, means defining oppositely facing working surfaces on said catch member which working surfaces are spaced apart along said first axis, said eccentric part being smaller than the spacing between said working surfaces and :being located between said working surfaces, and a spacer separate from said eccentric part disposed between said working surfaces and engageable with said eccentric part and at least one of said working surfaces for taking up the looseness parallel to said first axis between said eccentric part and said working surfaces so that as said eccentric part is moved about said second axis a force is transmitted to one or the other of said working surfaces, depending on the direction of rotation of said second member, to move said catch member relative .to said body, and means for rest-raining said spacer to pivotal movement about said central axis of said eccentric part.

10. The combination defined in claim 9 further characterized by said eccentric part being spaced from both of said working surfaces and said spacer having portions thereof located on opposite sides of said eccentric part and engageable with both of said working surfaces.

lL'The combination defined in claim 4 further characterized by said eccentric head being in direct engagement with one of said working surfaces.

12. The combination defined in claim 11 further characterized by said eccentric head being generally cylindrical in shape, said other working surface being curved in the plane of movement of said catch member, and said spacer having a recess curved in conformity with said eccentric head for receiving the latter and also having generally opposite from said recess a portion curved in conformity with said other working surface and mating with said other working surface.

13. The combination defined in claim 12 further characterized by said catch body having a side flange, and said spacer having a lateral projection arranged to engage 13 said side flange and prevent further rotation of said second member in one direction when said catch member 18 approximately in either of its limits of rectilinear move ment relative to said body member.

14. The combination defined in claim 11 further characterized by said eccentric head being generally cylindrical in shape and the working surface engaged by said eccentric head having a curved portion of such a curvature as to be generally concentric with the axis of r-otation of said second member when said catch member is in one limit of its rectilinear movement relative to said body member and which curved portion engages said eccentric head when said catch member is in such limited position.

15. The combination as defined in claim 9 further characterized by a base adapted for attachment to a supporting structure and means for pivotally connecting said catch body to said base.

16. The combination defined in claim 9 further characterized by said working surfaces being curved.

17. The combination defined by claim 9 further characterized by a strike including a transverse member engageable by said catch member, and means on said body for retaining said catch member in pivotal engagement with said transverse strike member when said catch member is in one of its limits of movement relative to said body member.

18. The combination defined in claim 17 further characterized by said transverse strike member comprising a generally cylindrical pin, said catch member including a hook portion engageable with said pin, and said means for retaining said catch member comprising at least one flange on said body member which flange is located on the opposite side of said pin from said hook portion of said catch and is brought into closely spaced relationship with said hook portion to prevent escape of said pin therefrom when said catch member is in said one limited position.

19. In a catch for releasably securing together two separable parts of a structure the combination comprising a generally vertically extending body member having a front Wall, a generally vertically extending catch member having a portion located behind said front wall and guided for vertical movement between upper and lower limits relative to said body member, a second member mounted on said front wall of said body member and supported thereby for rotation about a horizontal axis, means operatively connected with said second member for moving said catch member relative to said body member between said upper and lower limits in response to rotation of said second member, said second member including a portion extending forwardly from said front wall and having a transverse opening extending therethrough, a manually engageable wing for rotating said second member and which win includes a bar passing loosely through said transverse opening and about the axis of which bar said wing may be swung relative to said second member between an erect position and a flattened position relative to said front wall, and a spring located between said wing and said front wall, said sprin including an annular portion surrounding said forwardly extending portion of said second member and also including a tongue which tongue extends into said transverse opening and presses forwardly on said bar of said wing, said bar including at least one generally flat surface engageable by said tongue to releasably hold said wing in a given position relative to said second member.

20. The combination defined in claim 19 further characterized by said bar including two generally flat surfaces engageable by said tongue and so arranged that said tongue releasably holds said wing in either its erect or its flattened position.

21. The combination defined in claim 20 further characterized by said front wall having a notch therein, and said annular portion of said spring having a rearwardly offset portion adapted to enter said notch and serve as a 14 detent for releasably holding said second member in a given position relative to said front wall.

22. The combination defined in claim 21 further characterized by said notch and said offset portion of said spring being so located as to releasably hold said second member in a position relative to said front wall corresponding to one of the limits of movement of said catch member relative to said body member.

23. The combination defined in claim 19 further characterized by said wing being so connected to said second member as to be positioned transversely of said body member when said catch member is moved to the lower limit of its movement relatve to said body member, said wing further having a notch therein, and a forward projection on said body member arranged to enter said Wing notch and prevent rotation of said second member when said Wing is positioned transversely of said body member and in its flattened position relative to said front wall.

24. In a catch for releasably securing together two separable parts of a structure the combination comprising a generally vertically extending body member having a front Wall, a generally vertically extending catch member having a lower portion located behind said front wall and guided for vertical movement relative to said body member between upper and lower limits, a sec ond member mounted on said front wall for rotation about a horizontal axis, means defining an eccentric head on the rear end of said second member and which eccentrio head extends rearwardly beyond said front wall and toward said catch member for movement between upper nad lower limits relative to said body member as said second member is rotated about said horizontal axis, said catch member including means defining two vertically spaced working surfaces disposed on opposite sides of said eccentric head and one of which working surfaces engages said eccentric head, a spacer disposed between said eccentric head and the other of said working surfaces and which spacer includes a recess which conforms to and receives said eccentric head and whereby movement of said eccentric head about the axis of said second member when the latter is rotated is transmitted either directly to said one working surface or through said spacer to said other working surface to move said catch member vertically and whereby the same movement of said eccentric head moves said spacer laterally, said second member including a portion extending forwardly from said front wall and having a transverse opening extending there through, a manually engageable wing for rotating said second member and which wing includes a bar passing loosely through said transverse opening and about the axis of which bar said wing may be swung relative to said second member between an erect position and a flattened position relative to said front wall, and a spring located between said wing and said front wall, said spring including an annular portion surrounding said forwardly extending portion of said second member and also including a tongue which tongue extends into said transverse opening and presses forwardly on said bar of said wing, said bar including at least one generally flat surface engageable by said tongue and so arranged that said tongue releasably holds said wing in its erect position.

25. The combination defined in claim 24 further characterized by said bar including two generally flat surfaces engageable by said tongue and so arranged that said tongue releasably holds said wing in either its erect or its flattened position, said front Wall having a notch there, and said annular portion including a rearwardly offset portion adapted. to enter said notch in said front Wall and serve as a detent for releasably holding said second member in a position relative to said front wall corresponding to one of the limits of movement of said catch member relative to said body member.

26. In a catch for releasably securing together two separable parts of a structure the combination comprising a body member, a catch member carried by said body member and supported thereby for rectilinear sliding movement relative to said body member along a first axis and between first and second limits, a second member carried by said body member and supported thereby for rotation about a second axis perpendicular to said first axis, means defining an eccentric head on one end of said second member, which eccentric head is moved between first and second limits along said first axis as said second member is rotated about said second axis, and means defining a curved working surface on said catch member which working surface is engagea-ble with said eccentric head and movable thereby to move said catch member toward one of said limits of its movement relative to said body member as said eccentric head is moved toward one of its said limits, said working surface including a curved portion having a radius of curvature approximately equal to that of the path traced by the point on said eccentric head most distant from said second axis and arranged so as to be engaged by said eccentric head when said eccentric head is at its said one limit.

27. The combination defined by claim 26 further characterized by said curved working surface being generally concentric with the axis of rotation of said second member when said catch member is in one of its limits of movement relative to said body member.

28. In a catch for releasably securing together two separable parts of a structure the combination comprising a generally vertically extending body member having a front wall and a pair of rearwardly extending side flanges, a generally vertically extending catch member guided by said side flanges for vertical movement relative to said body member between upper and lower limits and having an upper portion which extends upwardly beyond said body member, a second member mounted on said front wall for rotation about a horizontal axis, means defining an eccentric head on the rear end of said second member and Which eccentric head extends rearwardly beyond said front Wall and toward said catch member, said catch member having a rearwardly offset portion at the rear of said eccentric head and which offset portion is connected to said upper portion by a generally horizontal wall located above and in engagement with said eccentric head, said offset portion including an upward projection which is not offset and which is located below said eccentric head, and a spacer disposed between said eccentric head and said projection and including recesses which respectively receive and approximately fit said eccentric head and said projection whereby move' ment of said eccentric head about the axis of said second member when the latter is rotated is transmitted either directly to said forwardly extending flange or through said spacer to said projection to move said catch member vertically and to move said spacer laterally.

29. The combination defined in claim 23 further characterizedby said eccentric being generally cylindrical in shape and said projection being generally semicircular in shape.

30. The combination defined in claim 28 further characterized by said horizontal wall having an upwardly curved portion the curvature of which is such that it is generally concentric with the rotational axis of said second member when said catch member is in its upper limit of movement relative to said body member.

31. A catch for releasably securing together two separable parts of a structure, said catch comprising a strike adapted for attachment to one of said separable parts, a base adapted for attachment to the other of said separable parts below said strike, a generally vertically extending body member having a front wall and transversely spaced side flanges, a generally vertically extending catch member having a lower portion located behind said front wall and guided by said side flanges for vertical movement relative to said body member, a second member rotatably mounted on said front wall for rotation about a horizontal axis, an eccentric head on said second member movable between upper and lower limits relative to said body member as said second member is rotated relative to said front wall, said catch member including means defining two vertically spaced Working surfaces disposed on opposite sides of said eccentric head and one of which working surfaces engages said eccentric head, a spacer disposed between said eccentric head and the other of said working surfaces and which spacer includes a recess which confrorms to and receives said eccentric head and whereby movement of said eccentric head about the axis of said second member when the latter is rotated is transmitted either directly to said one working surface or through said spacer to said other working surface to move said catch member vertically and whereby the same movement of said eccentric head moves said spacer laterally, said catch member also including an upper portion engageable with said strike and serving to exert closing pressure on said strike when said eccentric head is moved toward the lower limit of its movement relative to said body member and to release said closing pressure from said strike when said eccentric head is moved toward the upper limit of its movement relative to said body member, said side flanges near their lower ends each being provided with a vertically elongated slot, a pin carried by said base and passing through said elongated slots in said side flanges for pivotally connecting said body member to said base, a member located between said side flanges and having a transverse bearing aperture which approximately fits and receives said pin so that said member is pivotally supported on said pin and restrained against vertical movement relative thereto, and means for vertically adjusting said latter member relative to said body member and for causing the same to pivot with said body member.

32. A catch as defined in claim 31 further characterized by said spacer having a lateral projection arranged to engage one of said side flanges when said eccentric head is positioned slightly to one side of a vertical line passing through the axis of rotation of said second member and to thereby prevent further rotation of said second member in one direction or the other depending on whether said eccentric head is near the upper or lower limit of its movement relative to said body member.

33. A catch for releasably securing together two separable parts of a structure, said catch comprising a first fixed member adapted for attachment to one of saidseparable parts and a second fixed member adapted for attachment to the other of said separable parts, a catch unit disposed between said two fixed members and including a body member and a catch member carried by said body member which catch member is supported by.

said body member for rectilinear sliding movement relative to said body member between first and second limits, one end of said body member defining one end of said catch unit and one end of said catch member defining the other end of said catch unit and said two ends of said catch unit being engageable respectively with said two fixed members so that said catch unit exerts closing pressure between said fixed members when said catch member is in the first limit of its movement relative to said body member and releases said closing pressure when said catch member is in the second limit of its movement relative to said body member, manually operable means for effective movemment of said catch member relative to said body member, means pivotally connecting one end of said catch unit to one of said fixed members, and means for releasably connecting the other end of said catch unit to the other of said fixed members, said releasable means requiring separate manual action additional to that required for effecting said relative movement between said catch member and said body member to disengage said other end of said catch unit from the corresponding fixed member so that said one separable part may be completely separated from said other separable part.

34. The combination defined in claim 33 further characterized by said releasable means comprising two transversely spaced flanges on said one fixed member, a transverse pivot pin normally positioned between said two spaced flanges and supported thereby, a bearing aperture in the corresponding end of said catch unit and which bearing aperture normally receives said pivot pin for connecting said latter end of said catch unit to said one fixed member, and manually operable means for removing said pivot pin from its normal position so as to disconnect said catch unit from said one fixed member.

35. The combination defined in claim 33 further characterized by said releasable means comprising two transversely spaced flanges on said other fixed member, a U-shaped rod slidably carried by said two transversely spaced flanges and including a pivot portion which normally extends between said two flanges and another portion which is parallel to said pivot portion and extends laterally outwardly from one of said flanges, and a bearing aperture in the corresponding end of said catch unit which bearing aperture normally receives said pivot portion for connecting said latter end of said catch unit to said one fixed member, said laterally outwardly extending portion of said U-shaped rod being movable toward said one flange to displace said pivot portion from said bearing aperture and having a stop on its outer end to prevent its removal from said fixed member said U- shaped rod being made of spring material and said laterally outwardly extending portion of said rod including a rumple which is engageable with the adjacent one of said flanges to releasably hold said U-shaped rod in its normal position.

36. The combination defined in claim 33 further characterized by said releasably means comprising two transversely spaced flanges on said other fixed member, a transverse pivot pin normally positioned between said two spaced flanges and supported thereby, and a bearing aperture in the corresponding end of said catch unit and which bearing aperture normally receives said pivot pin for connecting said latter end of said catch unit to said one fixed member, said transverse pivot pin including two telescopically engaged parts which respectively extend into openings in said flanges and which parts are biased toward said openings by a spring and may be pressed toward each other to disconnect said pivot pin and said corresponding end of said catch unit from said fixed member.

37. In a catch for releasably securing together two separable parts of a structure the combination comprising a generally vertically extending body member having a front Wall, a generally vertically extending catch member having portion located behind said front wall and guided for vertical movement relative to said body member between upper and lower limits, a second member mounted on said front wall for rotation about a horizontal axis, means defining a generally cylindrical eccentric head on the rear end of said second member and which eccentric head extends beyond said front wall toward said catch member, said catch member including means defining two vertically spaced working surfaces disposed on opposite sides of said eccentric head and one of which working surfaces engages said eccentric head, and a spacer disposed between said eccentric head and the other of said working surfaces and which spacer includes a recess which conforms to and receives said eccentric head and whereby movement of said eccentric head about the axis of said second member when the latter is rotated is transmitted either directly to said one working surface or through said spacer to said other working surface to move said catch member vertically and whereby the same movement of said eccentric head moves said spacer laterally.

38. The combination defined in claim 37 further characterized by said body member including means defining a flange, and said spacer having a lateral projection arranged to engage said flange when said eccentric head is positioned slightly to one side of a vertical line passing through the axis of rotation of said second member and to thereby prevent further rotation of said second member in one direction or the other depending on whether said eccentric head is near the upper or lower limit of its movement relative to said body member.

39. The combination defined in claim 37 further characterized by said catch member having a rearwardly offset portion which ofiset portion includes a transversely extending wall at one end thereof and a projection at the other end thereof which projection is not offset and faces said transversely extending wall, said transversely extending wall and said projection defining said working surfaces with said eccentric head engaging said transversely extending wall, and said spacer being located between said eccentric head and said projection and including recesses which respectively receive and approximately fit said head and said projection.

40. In a catch for releasably securing together two separable parts of a structure the combination comprising a body member, a catch member carried by said body member and supported thereby for rectilinear sliding movement relative to said body member along a first axis and between first and second limits, a second member carried by said body member and supported thereby for rotation about a second axis perpendicular to said first axis, means defining an eccentric head on one end of said second member which eccentric head has a component of movement parallel to said first axis as said second member is rotated about said second axis, means defining oppositely facing working surfaces on said catch member which surfaces are spaced apart along said first axis and between which said eccentric head is located, said head being smaller than the spacing between said working surfaces so that it is spaced from at least one of said working surfaces, and a spacer separate from eccentric head disposed between said working surfaces and in engagement with said eccentric head and at least one of said working surfaces for taking up the looseness parallel to said first axis between said eccentric head and said working surfaces so that said component of eccentric head movement parallel to said first axis is transmitted to one or the other of said working surfaces depending on the direction of said component to move said catch member rectilinearly, said body member including a rearwardly extending side flange and said spacer including a lateral projection engageable with said side flange to limit movement of said second member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 659,069 10/ 1900 Ives 292-111 1,666,709 8/1926 Loud 74-55 2,632,663 3/1953 Croft 292-111 2,820,995 1/ 1958 Schlueter 292-111 X 2,853,752 9/1958 Schlueter 292-111 X EDWARD C. ALLEN, Primary Examiner. RICHARD E. MOORE, Examiner. I. R. MOSES, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A CATCH FOR RELEASABLY SECURING TOGETHER TWO SEPARABLE PARTS OF A STRUCTURE, SAID CATCH COMPRISING A STRIKE ADAPTED FOR ATTACHMENT TO ONE OF SAID SEPARABLE PARTS, A BASE ADAPTED FOR ATTACHMENT OF THE OTHER OF SAID SEPARABLE PARTS, A BODY MEMBER CONNECTED WITH SAID BASE, A CATCH MEMBER CARRIED BY SAID BODY MEMBER AND SUPPORTED THEREBY FOR MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO SAID BODY MEMBER BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND LIMITED POSITIONS, SAID CATCH MEMBER INCLUDING A PORTION ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID STRIKE AND ARRANGED TO EXERT CLOSING PRESSURE ON SAID STRIKE WHEN SAID CATCH MEMBER IS MOVED TOWARD THE FIRST LIMIT OF ITS MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO SAID BODY MEMBER AND TO RELEASE SAID CLOSING PRESSURE FROM SAID STRIKE WHEN SAID CATCH MEMBER IS MOVED TOWARD THE SECOND LIMIT OF ITS MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO SAID BODY MEMBER, MEANS INCLUDING A MANUALLY ROTATABLE ELEMENT FOR EFFECTING SAID RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN SAID CATCH MEMBER AND SAID BODY MEMBER, AND MEANS FOR ADJUSTING SAID BODY MEMBER RELATIVE TO SAID BASE AND IN A DIRECTION TOWARD OR AWAY FROM SAID STRIKE WHEREBY SAID CATCH PORTION MAY BE MADE TO PROPERLY ENGAGE SAID STRIKE SO AS TO EXERT A DESIRED AMOUNT OF CLOSING PRESSURE THEREON WHEN SAID CATCH MEMBER IS MOVED TO THE FIRST LIMIT OF ITS MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO SAID BODY MEMBER. 